With product activation hampering the counterfeiting of new software, pirates …

Share this story

With product activation hampering the counterfeiting of new software, pirates have been turning their efforts from the likes of Microsoft to smaller companies. Symantec has reported that while MS Windows and Office were the big items sought by counterfeiters, Symantec has now found themselves in the midst. This counterfeiting differs from other forms of piracy since it has the the look of valid software with printed boxes and correct colors and is sold under the pretense of being genuine. These look-a-likes are then sold at computer shows and through spam ads.

"There are two methods of spam-delivered piracy," Symantec regional product manager Norman Kohlberger says. "The first is when a user gets an incredible discount offer for a piece of software, such as Norton Antivirus 2003, in their email. They give the spammer their credit card details and later get a counterfeit copy of the product in the mail. "Often the product won't work, or it will be for the wrong region, but an 80 per cent discount is too good to resist for some people." Kohlberger says the second form, called "phishing" is more insidious, because the spammer takes the user's credit card, address and other personal details but does not send the product. "Their details end up with other marketing companies, spammers, or worse," he says.

I would think most readers know to avoid spam, but for those willing to risk it, it goes without saying to avoid the deals that look too good to be true and buy from trustworthy dealers. Of course, Symantec hopes to curb the counterfeiting of their products after seeing the success of Microsoft's activation; 2004 versions of their Norton software are expected to carry a form of product activitation. Symantec's case is not unique; consumers will see more and more product activation and DRM built into the applications they purchase as time goes on.